Making music for Dumfries and Galloway dementia patients for Life project

A team from Charnwood Lodge on Annan Road have been helping residents who are living with the chronic disorder to connect with their past using meaningful music.

Dumfries care home staff have got a sound idea for dementia patients.

A team from Charnwood Lodge on Annan Road have been helping residents who are living with the chronic disorder to connect with their past using meaningful music .

And now they are appealing for people to help with the Playlist for Life initiative by donating unused listening devices including old Apple Ipods .

Support worker Linda Irving said: “Playlist for Life has had such a wonderful effect on the people we support, we have seen such a change in them when we play them songs connected to their past.

“We involve families and friends to make sure the music we use is a personal playlist specific to them and it is just amazing to see their reactions.”

She added: “We’re asking if anyone out there has any unwanted Ipods, phones or old personal CD players, anything we can play music on, to please donate them and help us reach as many people as we can.”

The care home has collaborated with charity Playlist for Life to deliver the pioneering scheme.

Founded in 2013 by Scottish journalist Sally Magnusson, whose late mother suffered from dementia, the voluntary organisation works with person-centred care groups to promote the theory that response to music is not destroyed by the condition.

Studies have found that access to specific and memorable songs and compositions evokes memories and helps to alleviate dementia symptoms such as anxiety and agitation, while improving awareness, ability to think and helping develop a sense of identity and independence.

It is thought a widespread introduction of the simple, low-cost intervention will provide long term benefits for the national economy and wider society.

Linda added: “It’s a great idea, we are encouraging people to donate to any care homes in the region, not just us, so that even more people can benefit.”